Survive the Day: Thriving in the Midst of Life’s Storms by Ben Young

For years after author Ben Young’s divorce and experience of single parenting, he had one goal in the midst of his deep disorientation—to survive the day. For three decades, Young has been a pastor and professional crisis manager for families and individuals. He warns readers that it’s not a matter of if they will live through a crisis but when. Addressing the common experience of human brokenness in its myriad contexts, Young notes that we can’t control the storms that batter us, but we can control how we respond to them. His concern isn’t merely the daily survival of his clients and readers, but helping them find ways to thrive, “to draw from the strength and power of God.”

Young’s compassionate, hopeful resource encourages readers to recognize and resist the Shadow Voice that threatens to destroy their resolve to move forward and find healing. He explains “how humility, grace, and surrender can ground your day in God and his purposes for your life.” He offers practical steps for applying these concepts to daily life, such as “Get off the couch and go outside. Journal like a madman. Make your bed. Go to work today. Talk to someone today. Simplify your life. Help someone else today,” and more. Short, easy-to-read chapters make Survive the Day accessible to people in crisis who don’t have much time or energy to devote to reading, reflecting, and studying the Bible. Each chapter, designed to be user-friendly and visually appealing, includes a survival prayer, a biblical survival passage, and a survival practice. The book concludes with questions for personal use or group discussion. (David C Cook)